LIRR seeks to lease diesel consists

MTA Long Island Rail Road has issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for diesel locomotives and trailer passenger cars, in an effort to bolster service on one branch in Nassau County and a second mostly in Suffolk County, N.Y., "via a lease agreement."

LIRR's RFEI expresses a desire to obtain "sets of equipment which are highly reliable and are in good working order in the following configurations:

* Group A: Up to five consist that contain two locomotives and seating for 420 passengers each; [and]

* Group B: Up to two consist that contain two locomotives and seating for 280 passengers each."

The RFEI adds, "Amenities such as heating and air conditioning must be provided on both the passenger cars and locomotives while toilet service must be available on every other car in each consist. Passenger cars must be ADA accessible and detrain customers on a platform that is 50" above top of the rail. Consist should have a well maintained appearance. All equipment must meet the LIRR's clearance requirements as defined on the attached drawing N-3804C."

Group A would provide service to 11 stations along the LIRR's Oyster Bay Branch. Group B would provide service to seven stations along the LIRR's Ronkonkoma Branch, a main LIRR spine traversing the middle of Long Island and spanning 46 miles.

LIRR urges interested parties to send a brief letter of introduction, including a list of previous or current lease projects, via e-mail to Procurement Officer Maura A. Kelly at makelly@lirr.org by Oct. 18, 2013.